Primitive plants that grow in unlikely places
Although we usually think of forests when moss, lichen and ferns come to mind, these also grow in full sun on the rocks on the hill where I live. The large grey patches on the rocks are beds of moss, which come alive during the rainy season.
Then, it looks like this
Ferns are plentiful, they grow either in full sun, or in between rocks. These have very hard leaves and grow all year round. They are also frost resistant. The greener one is Cheilanthus viridus or Rock fern and the blue grey one is Pellaea calomelanos or Hard fern and is used medicinally. The leaves are smoked to treat asthma and chest colds and it is also taken internally to treat boils.
There are many different kinds of lichens covering the rocks, I love the different colours. Lichen is actually a symbiotic relationship between two different life-forms, algae and fungus. The yellow spots in the photo are also a form of lichen and the dark-green patches are algae that also only comes alive during the rainy season
It's strange to think of all the plant forms that we associate with water and shade surviving in such a hot, arid environment, but they have adapted
Whoa! A plant you can smoke to treat Asthma, that's a hard one to get my head around!
For sure. But that's folk medicine for you. Although many ferns are used worldwide for the same purpose
I didn't know that, I will have to do some research into it. We have some nice native ferns here!
Hi nick, interesting! As you said, the lichens are a symbiosis between fungi and algae. Their presence, being very sensitive to pollution, makes us understand how healthy the environment is.
description of a very nice and interesting. this truly unique and incredible.
Yes, it is hard to find lichen these days and it only grows high on the hill, away from the street pollution
I love the picture of the moss when they come to life, great macro.
Lichen and the mosses are so interesting. I think it’s the texture that catches my attention. Great shots. The gray moss looks like the lava rock crushed down to dirt. 🐓🐓
Thank you! They are all special favourites of mine, too
Interesting photos. Many plants that help with various diseases. You just need to know what can be used for various diseases.
I could refer to these as unique and great species of plants. Some literally grow without any soil and this is still fascinating though scientists have proven the facts or truths systematically behind all this. Thanks for your thoughtful post @nikv
You must have taken your time to capture the different stages of the plant at different seasons.
Most time snakes and scorpions hide easily on them and launch attack on visitors.
Wonderful.
if it's amazing how you can get this plant in places you should not do it but that's the amazing thing about nature